Go Green, Get a Date!

Have you noticed how all the leaves have already changed into fall colors?  Oh wait…it's because they are DEAD! CRUNCHY. BROWN. DEAD.

What if I told you that you could help the trees, aaaaaaand score a hot date?

And there’s a possibility that the hot date could be ME….ok, now that I have your attention, here are the details:

You're invited to the RedBuds Membership Drive and Date Auction on Wednesday, September 14 from 7-10pm at Royal Oak for a night of fun and fundraising for Trees For Houston. Guests will enjoy drink specials, delicious food and a chance to bid on Houston's most eligible bachelors and bachelorettes. 

The party is FREE for RedBud members. 

Trees For Houston recommends a $20 general admission donation at the door from all non-members. Guests may become RedBud members for $50 per individual or $90 per couple.  All proceeds benefit Trees For Houston's watering and planting programs.  

• Everyone will have a silent auction form – so you may bid on me (and others) from 7pm – 8pm.
• Live Auction - my starting bid will be the highest bid on the silent auction form.  Bidding increments increase by $20.
• The winner receives the ‘date package’ with gift card upon payment.
• You can have ‘phone bidders’ during the live auction if someone cannot be present – BUT payment must be made on Wednesday night!

Mer + Trees = Awesome

No matter what the total….all proceeds from this event will help Trees For Houston continue to water drought stricken trees and begin the enormous task of replacing trees this winter. And every dollar makes a difference…

Help me make it rain!

DISCLAIMER:  This is a ‘friendly’ date!  I am a lady, but not a ‘lady of the night.’  

Art, shmart! (And other brilliance)

First….thanks for awesome welcome back!

I am really excited to get back to writing about things I love (like unicorns and glitter!) and hopefully some new projects!

So on my journey of embracing “Me Time” (a.k.a. unemployment) I decided girlfriend here needs some culture!  I’ve been wanting to see the Helmut Newton exhibit, “White Women – Sleepless Nights – Big Nudes”, at the Museum of Fine Arts, so what better time than the present, right?  

Oh, did I mention my cable is out…

Going to the MFAH was like catching up with an old friend…and old friend who has a kick ass art collection, but isn’t snobby about it, but still won't let you touch it (even if you washed your hands! Twice!)  Those of you from Houston have probably gone to the MFAH countless times on school field trips, but when was the last time you went on your own?  Hmm….Exactly.  Here are my reasons why you should go:

• Your cable is out and you have exhausted your “Watch Instantly” que on Netflix. (What?!)
• So people notice the little round MFAH sticker on your shirt and think “She’s good looking aaand cultured.  Schwing!” (yes, I just used a Wayne’s World reference while talking about fine art, literary juxtaposition at it's finest)
• It’s air-conditioned. (‘nuf said)
• You don’t have to spend more than 5 seconds looking at a painting you don’t want to. (there’s some weird art out there that frankly, I don’t get.)
• When was the last time YOU saw a Van Gogh, or a Picasso, or a Monet, or an ancient Egyptian sarcophagus?  (ME: Yesterday Beeechez!)
• The ticket to the exhibit was only $7.00!  (Suck on that Edwards Cinema!)
•  There are pretty things to look at.
• This world has produced some pretty amazing, talented, and fascinating people and the proof is in their art.

So what kind of ‘art’ do you have in your home?

Oh, me first? Ok.

I’ll give you a hint – it rhymes with “shmotography”.  Since I’m just rolling in dough at the moment (not) my means to obtain any pieces are at this time – limited.  But I have always loved photography, especially black and white.  Not only do I love the end result, but more so the process it takes to create the piece…and the process I am talking about has nothing to do with uploading, photoshop, or color correcting.  Processing film, manipulating light, concocting the correct chemical bath, and the moments in which you watch with bated breath as an image develops onto the page like magic is, well, pretty damn awesome.  Photography used to be more of a tangible experience but now has turned into a very technical and somewhat sterile one, in my 'professional' opinion.  Yes, it’s great that you can instantly see the image and delete if it’s not to your liking…but don’t you remember the excited feeling you got when Walgreens called and told you your prints were ready? (Because you know we all checked the 1-hour processing box).  And when was the last time you actually printed a picture?  That long ago, huh?

(Oh, yeah, that's me in the pic, self portrait, age 20.)

Try creating an actual album instead of just one on Facebook.

Are you sick of me babbling about art yet?  Me too.  Almost done.  Promise.

Create a “Gallery Wall” in your home to showcase your family’s art.  This can be a collection of photographs, children’s art, prints, you name it.  Here are some of my favorites…

Very simple and very DIY... 

Source: younghouselove.com via Meredith on Pinterest

If you have a collection of cool prints...

Source: betterlivingthroughdesign.com via Meredith on Pinterest

Small Area - Big Impact... (PS - love how the thermostat just disappears into the art!)

Source: apartmenttherapy.com via Meredith on Pinterest

Have a bunch a mixed frames?  Paint them all 1 color and BOOM...anchors your art collection!

Source: traditionalhome.com via Meredith on Pinterest

I call dibs on this nursery!  (You use my inspiration and I will cut you.)  Oh and yes, my hipster baby needs art too.

Source: paloma81.blogspot.com via Meredith on Pinterest

And before you just start hanging crap...er...I mean, art on the wall.  Plan people!

Source: bing.com via Meredith on Pinterest

So where am I going to put my gallery wall...I think I have just the spot...

The more minimal the art, the more maximum the explination.

Hilton Kramer, The New York Times art critic, in the late 1960

I'm Baaaaaaack....

Hi.  Remember me?  Yeah, I know it’s been a long time and you’ve probably forgotten all about me.  Well, I’m back and I have some news…

ME: I quit my job.

YOU: Do you have a new one?

ME: No.

YOU: (awkward silence)

Now, most of you are probably thinking “Well, that was dumb.”  Yes, I realize that people are not knocking down my door to give me a job and that our economy, well, she ain’t the prettiest right now.  And many of you have asked, “So what’s your plan?”

Here’s my answer: I wasn’t happy and I am going to change that…how?  I have no effing clue.  But this is how I am going to start -

It’s ten minutes until 1PM on a Wednesday and I’m still in my pajamas drinking coffee.  Why am I drinking coffee so late?  Well, because I love coffee and I got up about 45 minutes ago.  Why am I still in my pajamas?  Because pajamas are comfortable – duh.  Some of you might be pretty jealous (good) and some of you are probably judging me (bad). 

Here’s my logic (if you can call it that)…Those of you who know me pretty well are aware that 1) I’ve been through more crap storms in my 30 years on this planet than one needs to and 2) I tend to take care of others more than I take care of myself (I know, JUST like Mother Teresa).  I’m not going to get into the details of said storms of crap because all that counts is that I came out of them…clean.  Through all these storms, I had always felt like it was my job to take care of everyone else, like a personified FEMA with a better track record.  When was this great responsibility bestowed upon me?  It never was.  I’m not really sure when the idea that I was the ONLY one capable of handling everyone else’s needs and that I actually COULD without any consequences to my own sanity popped into my head, but I’m pretty sure it’s my dead mother’s fault.  And pause for another awkward silence…

Did she just blame her dead mother?  No….not so much blame, as attribute.

My mother, Missy, was AMAZING.  She literally took care of everyone and everything.  From advising people on fabrics for their new sofa to chairing a book fair to holding the hand of a friend when the doctor says “It’s cancer.” – my mother would take care of everything, except herself.  She truly loved taking care of people, it was just who she was…but as I look back, I realize that she was also probably a bit of a control freak, who couldn’t and wouldn’t let others help.  I’m not really sure why she was this way but I know that she struggled with it in the same ways I have.  It’s difficult to explain, but I know it created stress for her as it does with me.  (She literally didn’t trust any of us to write her obituary correctly and wrote part it her self…very Missy)  And who needs more stress in their lives?  Anyone? Anyone? Bueller? 

So, here’s what I’m going to do…give myself a freaking break!  I’m going to stop and think about ME!

ME! ME! ME! – when was the last time you did that?

I’m not saying become a self-centered ass of a person, but take some time out and reflect on how YOU are treating YOURSELF.

So when you are worried that your company will completely collapse if you take a Friday off to spend with your family or that your friend will completely disown you because you didn’t want to be a host of her shower because you are becoming the real life version of Katherine Heigl in “27 Dresses”….think of the Honey Badger and ask yourself, “What would the Honey Badger do?”.

Answer:  Honey Badger don’t care.  Honey Badger don’t give a shit.

And if you haven’t met the Honey Badger, why the hell not: 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4r7wHMg5Yjg

As I conjure up my dream job (or a job) and how to get it, I will try to be more diligent in my posts.  Apparently, writing makes me happy…

Living the dream…

Mer

This little light of mine...

DIY Lamp Makeover

My dining room does not have enough light and I was looking for a pair of lamps to go on a console table. I bought these lamps at my local Marshall's Home Goods Store not because of their looks, but for their potential...and price!

I couldn't decide what to do with them..paint them white and get a fabric shade or paint them a fun color and a plain shade, so I just left them alone until inspiration struck.

Enter inspiration.

$2700 Green reverse painted glass with original gold details. New custom gold paper shade and gold ball finial. These came from the cute store, Pieces, located in Atlanta.

Too bad I don't have $2700 just sitting around to spend on lamps. But I did love the style of these and the color which goes well with the antique fern prints I have hanging in the dining room.

So let's start the transformation!

1.) Take ugly shade and finial off and cover exposed hardware and cord.

2.) Spray with primer.

3.) First I painted them with a green I thought I would like better than the lighter green of the glass lamps.

4.) I kept looking at the picture of the glass lamps then back at mine and was just not satisfied...so I went to the paint store and bought a lighter green and repainted the lamps before the sun went down.

5.) I let the lamps dry overnight. Then wrapped up the lamps except for the bottom to paint the bottom so it looks like there is a gold base.

6.) Then added the other gold details (it was a pain in the A$$!).

7.) And.....done!

8.) Materials used.

Now I just need to find a gold lamp shade...or maybe a white one. I will post picks when it's all put together!

$2700 v. $73

(i win)

Sneak Peeks!

Here are some sneak peeks of some upcoming projects!

Ugly lamp base color...but what a great shape!

Updating some "girlie" furniture...

More mirror projects!

Greek Key trim...

More pics to come soon!

BBQ...Even when it's bad, it's good!

I know, I know...you have seen more recipes than decorating lately! But I promise, I've got some great posts in the works...just waiting on the final touches.

So I just got back from visiting the BF in KC for a week..and it was great! We both love to eat and boy did we! Kansas City is known for their BBQ, specifically it's pork. So the two Texans headed from Missouri into Kansas to Oklahoma Joe's. Oklahoma Joe's is actually housed in a gas station and you could easily drive right past it, if you didn't know where you were going (we had GPS!). Well, we thought we could just walk right up to the counter and order our food........

......not so much!

We opened the door and took 1 step and we found ourselves at the end of the line already, so we thought! It was like those lines at amusement parks where it looks short, but then you see it snake around the entire place! As we made our way to the actual end of the line we asked people if this was normal and we got the same reply, "Yes, but the line moves fast." We debated about staying in line, but our stomachs didn't like that idea, so we called our order in and 30 minutes later we were on our way. I noticed the people in front of us in the line still had not made it to the counter when I picked up my order!

Hands down, best pulled pork sandwich! Ribs weren't anything special...but the pork, SO tender and flavorful! We also enjoyed traditional sides like potato salad, cole slaw, and beans (which were like a combo of baked beans and ranch style, yum!). I wasn't going to attempt to share a pulled port recipe, it just wouldn't compare and it seems like everyone has a recipe for ribs, so here's a simple delicious recipe for Texan baked beans - the sweet kind!

Locally brewed beer - Boulevard (tasty!)

Texan Baked Beans

Ingredients

• 32 oz. can of Pork and Beans
• 1/2 onion, sliced thinly
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 6 Tsp. mustard
• 3/4 cup ketchup
• 4 strips of bacon

Directions

1.) Put beans in 9x12 baking dish

2.) Add onions, brown sugar, mustard, and ketchup and stir until well mixd

3.) Place bacon strips across the top

4.) Bake at 350 degrees for 1.5 hours. (Bacon should be crisp on the edges.)

Serves 6

These are the other great places where we dined (er, pigged out!).

Grinders - fantastic Philly Cheese Steak!

Grinders West - right next door, great salads and sandwiches

Mama's - Classic Deli/Diner - How did I miss the deep fried french toast?!

Tasty Tuesday...?

I must apologize for the lack of "Mer's Monday Munchies" as I had a wonderful change of plans! I was supposed to fly up this Friday to Kansas City to see the boyfried, but we decided Monday afternoon to bump my flight to that evening...I packed and was on the plane 2 hours later! Gotta love the spontenaity in a relationship, right?! So here's a quick and fun recipe that is great for a couple to make together in the kitchen!

Easy Egg Rolls

(www.food.com)

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil


• 1/2 lb. lean ground pork


• 3 garlic cloves, minced


• 1/2 medium onion, minced


• 2 green oniones, thinly chopped


• 5 cups coleslaw blend


• 1/2 teaspoon powdered ginger


• 1 tablespoon soy sauce


• salt and pepper to taste


• egg roll wrappers (I bought mine at HEB - the were near the vegetables/usually near the prepackaged fruit, salads, etc.)

Directions:

1. Heat oil in skillet.


2. Saute garlic and onion until tender.


3. Saute pork until brown.


4. Add coleslaaw blend and stir-fry on high heat for about 5 minutes.


5. Remove from head and add seasonings, and salt and pepper to taste.


6. To Assemble: (1) Place 2 tablespoon filling near corner closest towards you. (2) Then fold over left and right sides. (3) Dampen edges of the corner that is away from you and finish rolling.


7. Deep fry at 350 degrees, until golden brown (these will fry VERY quickly!)


8. Drain on paper towels and ENJOY!